Fall 2013 TV Report (So Far)

ABC doesn’t have a lot to celebrate about. Once Upon A Time and Revenge are both down season-to-season, yet up from last season’s finales. So, really, you could say they are even for the night. Their new drama, Betrayal, however is a disappointment. Low ratings. Does ABC have anything ready to replace Betrayal though? They’re already definitely going to cancel the much lower rated Lucky 7 (an almost certainty), can they afford to axe two shows?

CBS has a nice strong lineup of returning shows, all performing well. FOX’s shows are all returning, and performing as expected. NBC is airing football. Off network, Masters of Sex and Homeland both debuted well. I expect both to be renewed soon.

Monday:

Dancing With The Stars is still doing good numbers for ABC, as is Castle. Both have nothing to worry about. CBS is going to need to make a decision about We Are Men, as the numbers really don’t warrant a full-season order. I don’t think it’s a “problem child” either, and it could probably run the full 13 episodes, to give CBS more time to properly launch/promote a replacement. Mom is also a bit of a disappointment, but it comes from Chuck Lorre. I think they’ll order a full season of Mom, but I’m less certain if it will get a second season. Hostages only has this limited run. I don’t think we’ll be seeing a renewal. The ratings just aren’t there. NBC should be picking up The Blacklist (very soon), as it is performing really well for them. The Voice continues to be a force. Over at FOX, I thought Sleepy Hollow would be renewed by now. It’s a buzzy show, it has strong ratings, and after three airings has given FOX an idea of where the plateau is for this season.

Tuesday:Agents of Shield will run a full season, but the question is whether or not it can sustain a second season? The show is expensive, and it can’t be doing just OK. Joss Whedon and Co will need to find a way to get this show some viewers back if it wants to stay on the air for more than 1 cycle. The Goldbergs is doing well, but it benefits from being the lead out to Shield. I wonder what Trophy Wife would do if swapped? The latter is the better show. Lucky 7 is a goner. CBS’s lineup is solid, no worries. NBC’s lineup is solid right now. Chicago Fire is turning out to be a nice renewal for NBC. Of FOX’s sitcoms, the first three are performing with virtually the same numbers. Mindy Project attracts the smallest audience. I don’t know if FOX will give a full season to Dads, or if 13 episodes is all we get.

Wednesday:

Even though Survivor is down, CBS still has a solid lineup here. Though, all of these shows are starting to show their age. FOX is going to have a hard time justifying a 4th season of The X Factor, as it is the lowest rated of the 3 singing competitions. NBC’s Revolution isn’t as big as last season, but it is doing some decent numbers. If it keeps it up, it should make it to Season 3. Ironside didn’t debut strong enough to warrant a back-nine order. ABC’s comedy lineup is solid, if Super Fun Night doesn’t dip a lot next week. Nashville is doing OK, and with Betrayal and Lucky 7 holding large targets, it won’t be going anywhere.

Thursday:

Grey’s Anatomy is starting to show its age in the ratings. NBC’s comedies are losing, by a lot, to CBS’s comedies. NBC needs to move the buzzy Michael J. Fox show to the timeslot opposite The Millers, so it can survive. Otherwise, they’ll just have a mediocre show, instead of a hit show. Fox’s ratings are strong enough to warrant a second season renewal, because the bar is so low for NBC’s lineup right now on Thursday. Parenthood is actually doing better on Thursday than on Tuesday, and better than previous NBC Thursday night shows. CBS is just curb stomping its competition right now. Big Bang Theory, Crazy Ones, Two and a Half Men, and Elementary are dominating. FOX’s X-Factor is sluggishly moving along, and Glee is down.